MG GTS (2016): MG makes an SUV

Luxury Car Brands - PORTALHere’s the latest entry to the ever-growing SUV/crossover market – and it wears an MG badge. This is the MG GTS, set to go on sale in China from spring 2015 with UK sales likely to follow in 2016.

This car looks familiar...

The GTS was previewed by the MG CS concept at the 2013 Beijing motor show and the styling has remained relatively faithful to that concept. Thankfully there’s no sign of the retro pastiche design treatment of the smaller MG Icon crossover concept shown at the 2012 Beijing show.

Described as a ‘mid-level SUV’, it’ll aim to emulate the success of the likes of the VW Tiguan and Kia Sportage as well as smaller models such as the Renault Captur.

Sporty name. What’s under the bonnet?

Initially, a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with around 217bhp and 258lb ft, hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A diesel option would almost certainly join the range before the GTS reaches the UK, likely to be an evolution of the 1.9-litre turbodiesel available in the MG6.

Click here to read CAR’s review of the MG6

Range-topping models will be fitted with an on-demand four-wheel drive system and active anti-roll system, although we should expect front-wheel-drive variants too. With all-wheel drive and the 2.0-litre petrol engine, the MG GTS is forecast to get from 0-62mph in around eight seconds.

Under its angular skin, the MG GTS is based on a new scalable platform from parent company SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) called SSA, apparently designed specifically with an SUV application in mind.

The MG GTS is scheduled to make its public premiere in the first half of 2015, most likely at the Shanghai show in April.